Shoulder pad



July 1, 1947. A, BA RITZ 2,423,168

.SHOULDER PAD Filed Jan. 22, 1947 INVENTOR. ALBERT BARRITZ 7 ATTORNEY.

Patented July 1, 1947 2,i23,lt

SHOULDER PAD Albert Barritz, Kew Gardens, N. Y., assignor to Acme Shoulder Pad 00. Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application January 22, 1947, Serial No. 723,513

Claims. 1

This invention relates to shoulder pads.

The prime object of the invention is to provide a shoulder pad which has, at least, the following three desiderata: First, the improved shoulder pad is extremely pliant or flexible in the sense that it is freely deformable or tractable (but only to the extent permitted by its moldability, third desideratum, considered below). By reason of its extreme pliancyeliminating any undesirable rigiditythe improved shoulder pad is very comfortable to the wearer and freely yields to shoulder and arm movements.

Second, the improved shoulder pad is extreme- 1y resilient or elastic in that it spontaneously springs back to its former shape (but its former shape is not necessarily the original shape given the pad in its manufacture, but a desirable shape selectively imparted to it by the user, as will be more fully explained with reference to the third desideratum of moldability). extreme resiliency, the improved shoulder pad not only retains the desired shape given it by the wearer, but does so without impairing comfort or ease of wear (as considered above in connection with the first desideratum of pliancy).

Third, the improved shoulder pad may be readily molded or deformed into the desired shape by the user, and this feature in no way impairs either its pliancy or resiliency, considered above. It is highly desirable that a shoulder pad have this ability of being shaped or molded at will by the user for a number of reasons. Moldability permits the shape of the pad to be changed in response to the dictates of fashion or style, so that particular dresses, jackets or coats may be readily conformed to such style. Moldability permits the improved pad to be quickly shaped to the physical and style requirements, size, etc., of particular garments. Lastly, the improved shoulder pad may be comfortably fitted or adapted to the size and physique of particular wearers.

An allied object of the invention is to provide a shoulder pad having the features of pliancy, resiliency and moldability as described above, which will at the same time be light in weight, the weight of the improved pad being substantially and practically that of the ordinary shoulder pad. A further object is to provide a light-weight shoulder pad having the features hereinabove described which will be economical to manufacture.

For the attainment of the foregoing and such other objects as may appear or be pointed out herein, I have shown several preferred embodiments of my invention in the accompanying drawing, wherein By reason of its,

Fig. 1 is a top View of the improved shoulder pad showing in broken lines, one form of insert therein;

Fig. 1a is a perspective View of the shoulder pad of Fig. 1, also showing the pad (dot-and dash lines) in a shifted position;

Fig. 2 shows the improved pad in plan with the various strata successively broken away to reveal the interior, another form of insert being employed;

Fig. 3 is a transverse section taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 show other forms of inserts;

Fig. 6 illustrates an insert which may be preferred for a rounded shoulder pad (shown in dotand-dash lines) Fig. 7 is a top view of a fully sheathed insert;

Fig. 7a is a transverse section taken on the line 1a'la of Fig. '7;

Fig. 8 is a top View of an edge-sheathed insert, the insert shown being of a slightly different form; and

Fig. 8a is a transverse section taken on the line 8a8a of Fig. 8.

Shoulder pads, whether of the triangular type (shown in Figs. 1, 1a and 2) or the rounded type (Fig. 6), are usually made with a covering of satin, taffeta or other suitable fabric, comprised of one or more pieces or portions. One of these is the convex covering piece Ill, Figs. 1, 1a, 2. Where the pad comprises three pieces two of these may be made up in either of two ways. As shown in Fig. In, these may comprise a one-piece concave covering II and a gusset I2, which is sewed at the base of the triangle to the convex covering it at stitching hi and to the concave covering I I at stitching I3; the convex piece Ill and the concave piece I I are sewed together along the equal sides of the isosceles triangle by a parallel, spaced pair of stitching I5, HE In the second of the mentioned types of coverings shown in Fig. 1, no gusset is employed; instead, the concave covering is made in two equal parts I6, It and sewed directly to the base edge of convex covering it at stitchings respectively, ll and I1, and are sewed to one another along the medial stitching I8.

The parts Ii--HI3 or IE!-iE-Iii are dimensioned so that when sewed together as described, the shoulder pad will assume the arched or convexo-concave shape shown best in Fig. 1a, when stuffed with cotton batting or other suitable material. Usually a piece of thin sheet of felted cotton-known as puffing pad-desighated 9 in Figs. 2 and 3 is placed next to the concave covering piece II. A similar piece of puffing pad to is associated with the convex covering piece l0, but is not in direct contact therewith by reason of an interposed sheet of buckram, or the like, 8.

In the improved shoulder pad, two sections of cotton batting or other stuffing I, 2 are employed, between which is interposed a piece of wire mesh 20, Figs. 2 and 3. The wire mesh, which may be formed from copper wire, steel wire or similar resilient, malleable metal or alloy, coacts with the slightly resilient and yieldable batting stuffing I, 2 and shaping covering in, l l, etc., to result in the novel characteristics of the improved shoulder pad described in the statement of invention and which will be more fully explained subsequently. Instead of wire mesh, a suitable wire-bearing cloth may be used.

In the form shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the wire mesh (or wire-bearing cloth), designated 20, is triahgularly shaped and dimensioned to a size somewhat less than the envelope formed by the covering pieces or casing of the pad, see Fig. 2. In the case of the rounded type of shoulder pad, shown in dot-and-dash lines, 3 in Fig. 6, the wire mesh might be given a semi-circular or rounded outline, 20a, or, if desired, the triangular wire mesh of Fig. 2 may be used.

I have found that to attain'the objects pointed out in the statement of invention (and further considered below), the wire mesh need not encompass or substantially encompass the entire pad, as in the case of triangular insert 20, Figs. 2-3, and the semi-circular insert 20a, Fig. 6. Instead, the insert may be of strip form, such as 2|, Fig. 8, of a length only 'slightl less than the base dimension of the pad (along the seams i6l I of Fig. 1, or l2 |3 of Fig. 1a) and of a considerably reduced width, compared with the apex dimension of the pad (along the seams 3, Fig. l). The ends 2i of strip insert 2!, Fig. 8, may be squarely or normally cut as is shown, or they may be .cut at a taper, such as inclined ends 2 i X of the insert shown in Fig. 4.

I have further found that certain desirable advantages, subsequently described, are attained by providing a cut-out or recess, such as the recess 23 provided at the inner edge 'of insert 22, Fig. 4, and disposed centrally on the medial axis M-M of the insert. The insert 24 of Fig. is similar to the insert :of Fig. 4 except that the corners as, y at notch 23, Fig. 4, and the end corners, a, b, c, and d, Fig. 4, have been rounded as clearly seen in Fig. 5.

The full-area inserts, such as the triangular insert 26 of Fig. 2 or the rounded insert 28a of Fig. 6 or the strip insert 2| of Fig. 8 or 22 of Fig. 4 or 24 of Fig. -5, may be placed directly between the two layers of cotton batting l, .2, as in the case of the pad shown in Figs. 2-3. In Figs. 7 and 7a, the insertwhich may be any of the different forms described but is shown, for example, as

strip insert 24, Fig. 5is sheathed in a folded piece 30 of cotton sheeting or other fabric, the fold being designated 35). Insert 24 is placedscentrally in the folded sheet with its outer edge in abutment with fold 30f, and the folds s'e-v'ved together by stitching 3! close to the inner edge of the insert. One of the objects of sheathing 30 is to encase the ends of the wires of the mesh to prevent them from marring the cotton batting and, more important, to prevent "the wireen'ds at the outer edge adjacent to the base or gusset side of the pad, from puncturing through -the :outer covering. It is for this reason that the fold 30 of the sheathing Si! is over the longitudinal outer edge of the insert. Another object of the sheathing is to provide a means for maintaining the insert in position: It will be observed from Fig. 7 that the sheathing 38 is longer than the insert 2 so as to provide extensions 38c at each end. The dimension or rather length of the folded sheathing is such that its extensions 30:: will be in proper position for sewing to the coverings by the stitching 15 and/or l5, see Fig. l. The insert itself is frictionally held centrally against lateral movement between fold 381 and stitching 3|.

The sheathing need not cover the entire insert; this is shown in Fig. 8 where a narrow strip 32 is folded at 32f and placed along the outer edge of insert 2|. In this case, the stitching 33 goes right through the wire mesh. The folded strip or sheathin 32 is longer than the insert to provide end extensions 32c as and for the purpose described in connection with Fig. 7.

The yieldable and slightly springy nature of the cotton batting stuffing l, 2, Fig. 3, gives the shoulder pad pliancy and resiliency so that it is soft and comfortable to the wearer, being freely tractable to shoulder and arm movements (body movement). By reason of its resiliency, the shoulder pad retains its shape. Thus far we have not discussed the effects of the wire mesh insert: Assuming that the shoulder pad shown in Fig. la is not implemented with the insert of this invention, but comprises only the cotton batting stuffing; if such shoulder pad were forced, say by squeezing by hand, to the shape shown in dotand-dash lines in Fig. 1a and designated X, the pad would immediately spring back, upon release of the pressure, to the original pre-shape shown in solid lines.

But by implementing the pad with the wire mesh (or wire-bearing cloth) insert of this invention, the improved shoulder pad will give the following new results: The wire material is resilient or elastic under unsustained pressure, such as the pre sure imposed upon the pad by body movement (and as contrasted to the sustained hand pressure mentioned above), so that in coactive operation with the yieldable and springy cotton batting and shaped covering, the improved shoulder pad is pliant and resilient and is freely responsive to the unsustained pressures of body movement. Referring again to Fig. 1a, we will now assume that the shoulder pad there shown is the improved pad. If the improved pad were moved out of its shape shown in solid lines to the dot-anddash shape X by unsustain-ed pressures of body movement, it will immediately spring back, upon release of the pressure, to .the pristine solid line shape. Now, however, if a sustained pressure, such as by squeezing by :hand, were imposed upon the improved shoulder pad, the wire material insert coacting with the cotton batting and shaped covering will cause the improved shoulder pad to retain its new shape (dot-.and-dash shape X) after release of such Sustained pressure. Moreover, the improved shoulder pad not only has this highly desirable feature of moldability, but possesses this desi'deratum without the slightest loss of pliancy or resiliency. That is to say, the resiliency of the wire material coastin with the yield'able and sprin'gy cotton batting and shaped covering still causes the improved pad-- the pliancy of its cotton batting stuiiing not in the least impaired :by the wire mesh.'to freely flex to the unsustained pressure ofb'ody movement and spring back upon termination of such pressure to its molded shape. Again referring to Fig. la, we will assume that the solid line presentation of the pad is a molded shape, i. e., one to which the improved shoulder pad had been shaped by hand, as explained above. If an unsustained pressure, such as that due to body movement, is imparted to the improved pad to flex it to the dot-and-dash shape X, the improved pad will immediately spring back to the hand-molded shape shown in solid lines.

I have found that by cutting the medial notch or recess 23, Figs. 4 and 5, in the inner edge of the wire mesh, the flexibility of the shoulder pad is enhanced, without impairing moldability, and at the same time any tendency of the wire mesh to peak or form pointed projections, is avoided.

It should be stressed that the novel wire mesh insert in no way interferes with the attaching of the improved shoulder pad to the garment. On the one hand, the insert may be made, as in Figs. la, 2 and 6, so that the edges thereof are sufficiently spaced from the edge of the pad covering or casing, such as edge I5, Fig. 2, to provide sufiicient space for seaming, for example, by stitching 15 without touching the wire mesh insert. On the other hand, even if the marginal portions of the insert extended to the casing edge, the sewing would go through the insert. In fact, the insert may be made, such as insert 2|, in Fig. 1, to extend to the casing edge and be sewed in place in the pad by the line of stitching i5 and/or E5. The insert, such as 2| in-Fig. 1, would be spaced a short amount inwardly of the base of the pad, so that the outer longitudinal edge of the insert is removed from the base; this will prevent the ends of the wires of the wire mesh from puncturing through the pad covering.

I claim:

1. A shoulder pad comprising a covering preshaped and sewed to provide a casing of predetermined shape, two sections of cotton batting inserted therein to distend the casing to said shape, the yieldable and slightly springy nature of the batting giving the pad pliancy and re-' siliency, and a piece of material having a plurality of spaced wires interposed between said two sections of cotton batting, said wire material being resilient under unsustained pressure and coacting with said yieldable and springy cotton batting and shaped covering to provide a pliant and resilient shoulder pad freely responsive to the unsustained pressures of body movement, said wire material being flexibly moldable undersustained pressure and coacting with said cotton batting and shaped covering to provide a moldable shoulder pad adapted under sustained hand pressure to assume and retain any desired shape, said resiliency of the pad causing it to spring back upon release of said unsustained body pressures to said retained shape.

2. A shoulder pad comprising a covering preshaped and sewed to provide a casing of predetermined shape, cotton batting inserted therein to distend the casing to said shape, the yieldable and slightly springy nature of the batting giving the pad pliancy and resiliency, and a piece of material having a plurality of spaced wires, said wire material being resilient under unsustained pressure and coacting with said yieldable and springy cotton batting and shaped covering to provide a pliant and resilient shoulder pad freely responsive to the unsustained pressures of body movement, said wire material being flexibly mo1dable under sustained pressure and coacting with said cotton batting and shaped covering to provide a moldable shoulder pad adapted under sustained hand pressure to assume and retain any desired shape, said resiliency of the pad causing it to spring back upon release of said unsustained body pressures to said retained shape.

3. A shoulder pad according to claim 2 having a rounded shape, wherein said wire material is of semi-circular outline,

4. A shoulder pad according to claim 2 having a triangular shape, wherein said wire material is of triangular outline.

5. A shoulder pad according to claim 2 wherein said wire material is constituted of wire mesh.

6. A shoulder pad according to claim 2 wherein said wire material is constituted of wire-bearing cloth.

'7. A shoulder pad according to claim 2, symmetrically narrowing from a base to a central point normal thereto, wherein said wire material is of strip form disposed at said pad base.

8. A shoulder pad according to claim 2, symmetrically narrowing from a base to a central point normal thereto, wherein said wire material is of strip form disposed at said pad base, the edges of said strip being inwardly tapering.

9. A shoulder pad according to claim 2, symmetrically narrowing from a base to a central point normal thereto, wherein said wire material is of strip form disposed with one longitudinal edge at said pad base, the inner longitudinal edge of the strip having a centrally disposed recess.

10. A shoulder pad according to claim 2, symmetrically narrowing irom a base to a central point normal thereto, wherein said wire material is of strip form disposed with one longitudinal edge at said pad base, the inner longitudinal edge of the strip having a centrally disposed semicircular recess.

11. A shoulder pad according to claim 2, symmetrically narrowing from a base to a central point normal thereto, wherein said wire material is of strip form disposed with one longitudinal edge at said pad base, the inner longitudinal edge of the strip having a centrally disposed semicircular recess, the corners formed by the intersecting of said semi-circular recess and the inner strip edges, and also the corners of the strip, being rounded to form a two-lobe arcuate shape.

12. A shoulder pad according to claim 2 wherein said wire material is constituted of wire mesh completely sheathed by fabric material.

13. A shoulder pad according to claim 2, symmetrically narrowing from a base to a central point normal thereto, wherein said wire material is of strip form and constituted of wire mesh, disposed with one longitudinal edge at said pad base, further provided with fabric folded over said longitudinal edge of the wire mesh strip.

14. A shoulder pad according to claim 2, symmetrically narrowing from a base to a central point normal thereto, wherein said Wire material i of strip form and constituted of wire mesh, disposed with one longitudinal edge at said pad base, further provided with fabric folded over said longitudinal edge of the wire mesh strip, said folded fabric sheathing the entire strip.

15. A shoulder pad according to claim 2, symmetrically narrowing from a base to a central point normal thereto, wherein said wire material is of strip form and constituted of wire mesh, disposed with one longitudinal edge at said pad base, further provided with fabric folded over said longitudinal edge of the wire mesh strip, said folded fabric sheathing only the portion adjacent said longitudinal stripedge.

16. A shoulder pad according t claim 2, symmetrically narrowing from a base to a central point normal thereto, wherein said wire material is of strip form and constituted of wire mesh, disposed with one longitudinal edge at said pad base, further provided with fabric folded over said longitudinal edge of the wire mesh strip to sheath the strip, said folded sheathing fabric being sewed together along a line close to the other longitudinal edge, whereby the wire mesh insert is frictionally held between said fold ofthe sheathing fabric and said line of sewing.

1'7. A shoulder pad according to claim 2, symmetrically narrowing from a base to a, central point normal thereto, wherein said Wire material is of strip form and constituted of wire mesh, disposed with one longitudinal edge of said pad base, further provided with fabric folded over said longitudinal edge of the wire" mesh strip, said folded fabric sheathing only the portion adjacent said longitudinal strip edge, said folded sheathing fabric being sewed together by a. line of stitching passing through the wire mesh insert.

18. A shoulder pad comprising covering pieces preshaped and sewed to provide a shaped casing, symmetrically narrowing from a base to a central point normal thereto, said sewing including stitching along said narrowing portion of the pad, cotton batting inserted in said'casing to distend it to said shape, a strip of wire mesh disposed with one longitudinal edge at said pad base, and a strip of fabric folded over said longitudinal edge of the wire mesh strip, said folded fabric extending beyond the ends of the wire mesh strip to provide end extensions, whereby the wire mesh strip is secured in place in the pad by passing said stitching through said end extensions of the folded fabric.

19. A shoulder pad comprising covering pieces preshaped and sewed to provide a shaped casing, symmetrically narrowing from a base to a central point normal thereto, said sewing including stitching along said narrowing portion of the pad, cotton batting inserted in said casing to distend it to said shape, a strip of wire mesh disposed at the base of the pad and extending across the width of the pad to provide end extensions, said wire mesh insert being secured in place in the pad by passing said stitching through said end extensions of the wire mesh insert.

20. The shoulder pad according to claim 19 wherein the said wire mesh insert is disposed inwardly from the pad base to separate its outer longitudinal edge from the pad base in order to prevent the wire ends from puncturing the base covering of the pad.

' ALBERT BARRITZ.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 641,526 Lowenthal Jan. 16, 1900 640,124 Gaddis Dec, 26, 1899 145,661 Kyser Dec. 16, 1873 

